Hospital employee charged with $288K theft

Tribune photo illustration

Tribune photo illustration

Jeremy GornerTribune reporter

A woman who managed the accounting for Rush Oak Park Hospital is accused of fraudulently obtaining close to $300,000 from the hospital over a six-year period, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

Deborah Wilberding, 44, of Naperville, was charged with one count of felony theft for the alleged scheme that lasted from February 2006 until September 23.

During that time frame, Wilberding – a controller at the hospital – used at least one credit card for personal use and got reimbursed for making other unspecified purchases with her own money, said Andy Conklin, a state’s attorney’s office spokesman.

Overall, she acquired $288,357.18 over the six years, Conklin said.

Wilberding was ordered held in lieu of $150,000 cash during her bond hearing today before Cook County Criminal Court Judge Gregory Vazquez at the Maybrook Courthouse.

Hospital spokeswoman Angela Spino said Rush’s finance department was notified on Aug. 10 about the fraud from an unspecified financial institution.

Wilberding was placed on administrative leave after an internal audit began.

When the hospital discovered the financial improprieties, the Oak Park Police Department was notified on Aug. 24 and Wilberding was fired.

“At this time, we believe only one employee was involved in the credit card fraud,” Spino said. “Rush will seek full restitution of the funds by working through law enforcement.”